Hidden replaceable media slots

Abstract

Determining and hiding a replaceable period of a MP (Media Presentation). A method for determining includes receiving a first MPD (Media Presentation Description) that identifies a predetermined period and at least one media segment of the MP to be presented during the predetermined period. A determination is made as to whether the first MPD includes additional data to be resolved by an application. The additional data is provided to the application when the first MPD is determined to include the additional data. Additional period information is received from the application. A second MPD is generated based on the received additional period information. The MP is output for display to a user based on the second MPD. Each of a subset of the at least one media segment for a replaceable sub-period of the MP is replaceable with an alternate media segment.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of a reception apparatus, comprising:
 receiving, by circuitry of the reception apparatus, a public media presentation description (MPD), the public MPD identifying a period and at least one media segment to be presented during the period, the public MPD including an XLink within the period; 
 determining, using an authorized application, additional period information based on the XLink, the additional period information including timing information of a replaceable sub-period within the period identified in the public MPD, wherein the timing information is not included in the public MPD; 
 obtaining a private MPD based on the additional period information; and 
 replacing, in accordance with the private MPD, a media segment associated with the replaceable sub-period with an alternate media segment. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the replaceable sub-period indicates the media segment of the public MPD as a default media segment. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the additional period information is the private MPD. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the private MPD identifies the alternate media segment. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a digital television signal that includes the public MPD and the at least one media segment, and 
 downloading the authorized application from the received digital television signal or based on download information included in the received digital television signal. 
 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 resolution of the Xlink yields at least three sub-periods including the replaceable sub-period, and 
 the at least three sub-periods replace the period. 
 
     
     
       7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a computer causes the computer to perform the method according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       8. A reception apparatus, comprising:
 circuitry configured to: 
 receive a public media presentation description (MPD), the public MPD identifying a period and at least one media segment to be presented during the period, the public MPD including an XLink within the period; 
 determine, using an authorized application, additional period information based on the XLink, the additional period information including timing information of a replaceable sub-period within the period identified in the public MPD, wherein the timing information is not included in the public MPD; 
 obtain a private MPD based on the additional period information; and 
 replace, in accordance with the private MPD, a media segment associated with the replaceable sub-period with an alternate media segment. 
 
     
     
       9. The reception apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the replaceable sub-period indicates the media segment as a default media segment. 
     
     
       10. The reception apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the additional period information is the private MPD. 
     
     
       11. The reception apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the private MPD identifies the alternate media segment. 
     
     
       12. The reception apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a digital television signal that includes the public MPD and the at least one media segment, and 
 download the authorized application from the received digital television signal or based on download information included in the received digital television signal. 
 
     
     
       13. The reception apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 resolution of the Xlink yields at least three sub-periods including the replaceable sub-period, and 
 the at least three sub-periods replace the period. 
 
     
     
       14. The reception apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the timing information includes at least one of a start time or a segment start number for the replaceable sub-period. 
     
     
       15. The reception apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
 register the authorized application to receive XLink notification; 
 notify the authorized application of the XLink included in the public MPD; and 
 execute the authorized application. 
 
     
     
       16. A method of an information providing apparatus, the method comprising:
 generating, by circuitry of the information providing apparatus, a public media presentation description (MPD), the public MPD identifying a period and at least one media segment to be presented during the period, the public MPD including an XLink within the period; and 
 providing the public MPD to a reception apparatus, wherein:
 a private MPD is obtained in the reception apparatus based on additional period information that is determined based on the XLink by an authorized application, the additional period information including timing information of a replaceable sub-period within the period identified in the public MPD, wherein the timing information is not included in the public MPD, and 
 a media segment associated with the replaceable sub-period is replaced, in accordance with the private MPD, with an alternate media segment in the reception apparatus. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the replaceable sub-period indicates the media segment as a default media segment. 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the additional period information is the private MPD. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the private MPD identifies the alternate media segment. 
     
     
       20. The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 transmitting a digital television signal that includes the public MPD and the at least one media segment. 
 
     
     
       21. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein resolution of the Xlink yields at least three sub-periods including the replaceable sub-period and the at least three sub-periods replace the period.